8 minute read
‘Knowing that all my children are kind and respectful makes me feel proud every day’ – Interview
Georgina Probert speaks with musician, actor, TV personality and dad of four, Peter Andre on balancing his career with fatherhood and finds out what this year has in store for the Andre family.
Do you remember the first single you ever bought? Mine was back in 1995 when a young and impressionable 10-year-old got her first Walkman cassette player and bought “Mysterious Girl” by Peter Andre.
To get to speak to Peter all these years later about his career, in advance of him celebrating 30 years in the entertainment industry, was a dream come true. And how things have changed for him in the past three decades: a busy dad of four to Junior (17), Princess (15), Amelia (8) and Theo (6), a successful music career and several movie roles under his belt. 2023 is set to be an exciting year for the singer and his family, with a special birthday fast approaching and an anniversary tour. that you still have a very loyal following. I believe that this has only been possible by adapting as a performer in the entertainment industry and the versatility has meant that all ages have been a part of my career. From movies and music to stage shows and TV presenting, I’ve loved it all.
So, as I begin to embark on my 30th year in the industry, I again had to offer something very different from what I have done before. The venues that have been chosen for my UK-wide tour have been hand selected to offer an intimate theatre experience. The shows are ‘close up and personal’ and will involve a lot of fun interaction for everyone that comes.
Peter and his son Junior © instagram.com/peterandre
Photo Agency © Shutterstock.com/Featureflash Children charity Butterfly Ball in 2019 Peter with his wife Emily at the Caudwell
Next year is a huge milestone for your career. Tell us about PeterAndre30...
Being in the limelight for so many years has been an incredible achievement and it’s nice to know
Peter’s daughter Princess, who he had with his ex-wife Katie Price © instagram.com/peterandre
© Shutterstock.com/mikecphoto Throwback to 2014: Peter Andre with his two older children Princess and Junior (then aged 7 and 9) for a screening in Leicester Square of the Mr. Peabody & Sherman movie The Andre family love going skiing © instagram.com/peterandre
Peter’s eldest children, Junior and Princess, are now teenagers © instagram.com/peterandre
What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
Still being here 30 years on is quite an achievement, but obviously there were some highlights along the way. A few that stand out include my very first arena tour, performing at the stadium everyone wants to appear at, Wembley, and winning a World Music Award in Monaco. I was so nervous, but had the incredible opportunity to meet some inspirational people like Celine Dion, Lionel Richie and Halle Berry. It’s a moment I will never forget. I hope the next 30 years bring some more momentous occasions to tell the future grandchildren about!
How are you feeling about turning 50 in February?
The old saying is that you are as old as you feel, and I feel great. I lead a healthy lifestyle and that definitely helps how I feel on the inside, but my children help me feel young too. I’m ready to embrace everything that 50 has to offer me. Bring it on!
Do you have a big celebration planned or will it be something more low-key?
We have a few things planned and in the pipeline as a family, but like any big birthday I am sure there will be plenty of surprises in store for me. I am sure it will be a great mix of celebrations with friends and family.
From driving lessons to losing a first tooth, how do you manage to bring up two teenagers and two young children?
I am no different to any other dad and we are not dissimilar to any other family. It is all about three key things: balance, teamwork and a lot of juggling. From getting children to school on time to ensuring they do their homework – we are a normal family that just tries the best for our children. No parent gets an instruction manual when their children are born; we all just learn along the way and grow as we go.
What has been your proudest achievement/ moment as a father?
All the ‘firsts’ make you feel proud. From the first smile, first word and first step, these little, but significant milestones have been amazing to experience. As children develop and begin to flourish there are other things they do that enrich your lives. For example, knowing Junior has a great record deal and Princess is studying really hard for her GCSEs, these things make me happy. Also, knowing that all my children are kind and respectful makes me feel proud every day.
How do you and your wife Emily find the time to spend quality time with the kids, as well as each other, while both being working parents?
Ah! This largely goes back to the three key areas. What is important is to find and make valuable time with the kids,
create memories as a family and spend some quality time just with Emily. We do lots as a family, which includes lots of fun and laughter in our household. I also enjoy date nights with Emily – when we’re not too exhausted!
Emily and I have a shared passion for charity work too. We are ambassadors for Caudwell Children (caudwellchildren.com), a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of disabled and autistic children; we are passionate about HIPZ (Health Improvement Project Zanzibar, hipz.org. uk), and mental health charities too.
Are any more babies on the horizon?
I love kids - I wouldn’t have had them if I didn’t. The answer to this question changes by the week, but if you are asking today, I would say no, not at the moment.
As someone who doesn’t share photos of your younger kids’ faces on social media, what advice would you give to parents of younger children on how to deal with social media?
There is no right and wrong answer to this question. Obviously, many social channels have a minimum age, but you should still talk to your children about the dangers of social media. I think it is important to consider any potential risks, such as knowing what to watch out for, and having the right privacy settings to protect your children. Being aware of these and your child’s digital well-being is paramount.
Lots of people have asked me, “So, why do you let your children on social media?”. But as a parent, it’s impossible to stop your children from doing everything, so we need to have protective measures in place for when they are online, so they are safe.
I discovered that you can get devices now that change your voice, so a young girl might think they’re talking to a young boy, when it’s really an older man. That terrified me and makes me worry about the future with Millie and Theo, too.
What are your favourite activities that you enjoy doing as a family?
Although we have our individual interests (for example, Emily is a keen gardener) there are many other things we appreciate collectively. Cooking is a big thing for me and the family. Saturday mornings we always make and have pancakes, I love to BBQ (and even do so in the winter), Emily bakes cakes and biscuits with the children and we all enjoy watching a movie (or two!) together. From playing board games to going on family bike rides – we just enjoy being together whenever we can.
For more information about Peter’s 2023 tour and to book tickets, visit: peterandre30.com
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